From the ‘music boulevard’ to the cheerful Inselbahn: experience it all from your holiday home on Borkum

Are you a fan of the Wadden region? Then plan a trip to the German Wadden Island of Borkum. This small island is connected by a direct ferry from Eemshaven in Groningen. Your holiday on Borkum starts with a smile, because upon arrival at the harbour you hop on the colourful Inselbahn for a ride to the island’s capital of the same name. Here, you can rent bicycles at affordable prices and explore the surroundings from your holiday home on Borkum. The beach vibe is equally inviting, with typical German beach chairs, a music pavilion and cosy seating at Café Rias Beach.

Explore Borkum by bike from your holiday home

Borkum is not car-free, but cycling is the most enjoyable way to get to know the island. The Dutch neighbouring island of Schiermonnikoog may be larger, but Borkum also offers plenty to discover during a bike ride. Cycle through a varied landscape of salt marshes, dunes and meadows along a dike route on the southern side. Once you reach Hooge Hörn in the northwest, it’s worth taking a short walk through the wide dune landscape with wooded areas and a tidal channel. You can also stroll across the generously scattered shell beach. Sand or dunes? At some spots it is hard to tell the difference due to the little hills of marram grass.

Back in the saddle, continue along the southern edge towards the viewpoint Aussichtsdüne Steerenklipp. The final stretch takes you over the dike back to Borkum.

Ride along on the Borkumer Kleinbahn

Borkum is known for its many excursions. You can take a steam train or the red rail bus for a sightseeing trip along the narrow-gauge railway, including a photo stop on the way. There is also the option to join a tour with the vintage bus, and even on days you don’t join, it’s fun to see this red retro bus driving around. Want to explore sights in combination with a guided activity? Then the vintage bus is a great way to learn about the island, along with the stories shared by the driver.

Visit the cultural-historical Heimatmuseum Dykhus

Rain is, of course, not unusual on a German Wadden island. A ride with the Kleinbahn is then a great alternative. Prefer to save the train or bus for a sunny day? Then the cultural-historical Heimatmuseum Dykhus is the perfect indoor activity. Here you’ll learn all about the island's history and its former whaling industry. The museum’s showpiece is a large hanging skeleton of a sperm whale. The interior is charming as well, displaying paintings and mounted birds. Some rooms are decorated so authentically that it feels like stepping back in time, and there are many objects illustrating the island’s maritime past. All in all, a cosy museum for a rainy day.

Active things to do on Borkum

Enjoy a windswept buggy ride on the beach

One of the best ways to clear your head on an island is with a long walk along the beach and through the dunes, but the salty sea breeze offers more adventurous options as well. Rent a buggy with a beach sail and experience a wild ride with speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour. You can book a basic course at entertainment centre World of Wind, after which you hire a beach kart to race across the sand. Curious about other options? The same rental company also offers kite surfing, windsurfing, power kiting and paddleboarding.

Did you know you can also try indoor surfing on the FlowRider at the swimming pool on Borkum? A unique experience when the sea and wind are too rough.

Go climbing in the Nordsee kletterpark

Next to Borkum’s spa park you’ll find a climbing park with exciting heights. It sits on the edge of a forest bordering the dunes. You’ll need to resist the temptation to constantly admire the views because of the wobbly planks beneath your feet. Children aged six and up can take on three different courses.

Holiday home Borkum: the best cafés and restaurants

A popular place for comfortable seating near the beach is Café Rias Beach. The chairs look inviting, as does the building itself. Visitors like to stay here for a while, especially at sunset, with music playing from the nearby round pavilion. Another great spot is Strandcafé & Restaurant Sturmeck. There’s space on the outdoor terrace, but it’s also pleasant inside on the colourful benches when it rains, with views over the dunes and the sea. Cosy and maritime is restaurant Zum Yachthafen, where you can enjoy an authentic nautical interior with fishing nets and a ship’s wheel on the wall.

Tip: visit the sea buckthorn shop

Sea buckthorn, a berry that grows in the dunes, is a true island specialty on Borkum and used in many products such as jams, teas and liqueurs. The berries are extremely rich in vitamins and have a delicious flavour. Be amazed by the many sea buckthorn-related products at Sanddorn Hus, from lollipops and sweets to skincare creams.

Spot seals on the north beach

Borkum is also a great destination for spotting seals. They often rest on the island’s sandbank or can be seen during an excursion with the MS Störtebeker. Seal pups are incredibly cute and tempting to observe up close, but make sure to follow the rules. Mothers may abandon their pups if they pick up a human scent.

Tip: climb the Neuer Leuchtturm Borkum, a lighthouse offering views over the seal sandbank.

Rent a holiday home on Borkum

The boulevard of Borkum features charming ribbon-style buildings without any high-rise. The laid-back atmosphere around the music pavilion, the seals and the sunsets at Café Rias Beach make the island a beloved destination. Borkum is also popular thanks to the Inselbahn train, the excursion bus and the climbing park. Great ideas for a rainy day include the Dykhus museum or a visit to the Nordsee Aquarium. Want to relax with a book in the shade of a classic German beach chair? Take the ferry from Eemshaven to a cosy holiday home on Borkum.